April Fool’s Day Around the World
It might be an unofficial day, but many countries worldwide celebrate April Fool’s Day with practical jokes and hoaxes. How these celebrations started is still a mystery. However, it is thought that during the 16th century, in France when the New Year’s date changed from April 1st to January 1st the people who refused to celebrate on January 1st were called April fools.
France & Italy & Belgium
Wanted to mention these countries together as how they celebrate this day is quite similar. They have a tradition called Poisson d’Avril! which means April Fish. This day is celebrated by sticking paper fish on people without them noticing. If the prankster is caught, they have to yell Poisson d’Avril.
Turkey
April Fool’s Day is celebrated in Turkey too just like in other countries with small and innocent pranks. It is customary to yell “1 Nisan” meaning April 1st after a joke is made. When I was a student pranks like changing the classroom with another class were fun to pull to trick our teachers. Like I said small and innocent!
Scotland
In Scotland, April Fool’s Day is also known as Hunt the Gowk Day. Scottish people must have loved this day so much that they celebrate it for 2 days on April 1st and 2nd. The first day is celebrated through pranking and on the second day known as Tailie day, people try to stick tails to each other’s backs.
United States
If you’re in the United States during April Fool’s Day beware as anyone you know may try to trick you. Fake news on TV and radio, and pranks from friends, family, and coworkers are very common. From what we’ve seen from movies and TV series I can say that toilet papering a house is a way of pranking a neighbor.
If you’re not into going around pranking people you can make a nice thing instead and get your friends, family, and coworkers a box of Turkish Munchies! Although due to the fame of this day, your loved ones may take it as a way of pranking them. No harm comes from us! We’re in for the snacks and nothing more.
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